Judge allows manslaughter charges to be considered against George Zimmerman

3 years ago

(Sanford, FL) -- Lawyers are arguing over the instructions the all-female jury in the George Zimmerman murder trial will hear before they start their deliberations. The judge already decided that, in addition to a charge of murder in the second degree, jurors will be allowed to consider a lesser charge in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin.

The jury won't be able to consider a charge of third-degree murder against George Zimmerman. Florida prosecutors surprised the defense by trying to include the charge, arguing that 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was killed last year during an act of child abuse. The jury will also decide if certain firearms laws were broken, and that could add decades to any prison sentence.

Prosecutors are starting their closing arguments this afternoon and the defense will begin in the morning. The prosecution will have one more chance to talk to the jury before the panel of six starts its deliberations.